Powered roller systems and methods

Abstract

A powered roller system is operable in first and second configurations. In the first configuration, rotation of a motor drive shaft is transferred to a first drum member by an adapter collar that engages the drive shaft and the first roller drum assembly. In the first configuration, a first drum bearing assembly supports the first drum member on a motor support shaft, and a distal support assembly supports the first drum shaft. In the second configuration rotation of the drive shaft is transferred to a second drum member by engaging an adapter collar with the drive shaft and an adapter spacer and engaging the adapter spacer with a second drum assembly. In the second configuration, a second drum bearing assembly supports the second drum member on the support shaft, and the distal support assembly supports a second drum shaft.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A powered roller system comprising:
 a roller drum assembly comprising a drum member, a drum shaft, and a drum bearing assembly; 
 a motor comprising a support shaft and a drive shaft, where the drum bearing assembly is arranged to support the drum member on the support shaft; 
 a proximal support assembly for supporting the drum shaft, the proximal support assembly comprising
 a support block defining center bore, first and second fluid bores, and first and second O-ring grooves; 
 first and second O-rings arranged within the first and second O-ring grooves, respectively, wherein 
 the first and second fluid bores extend between first and second fluid ports and first and second locations of the center bore; 
 the center bore is sized and dimensioned such that, with the support shaft is arranged within the center bore, the O-rings engage the support shaft to define a sealed area and the first and second locations are within the sealed area; and 
 
 a distal support assembly for supporting the drum shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. A powered roller system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first and second fluid bores define first and second fluid bore axes, where the first and second fluid bore axes are parallel to each other and the first and second fluid bore axes are different. 
     
     
       3. A powered roller system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first and second fluid bores define first and second fluid bore axes, where the first and second fluid bore axes are parallel to each other and aligned. 
     
     
       4. A powered roller system as recited in  claim 1 , in which the first and second locations are arranged on opposite sides of the center bore. 
     
     
       5. A method of rotating a drum member comprising the steps of:
 providing a roller drum assembly comprising a drum member, a drum shaft, and a drum bearing assembly; 
 providing a motor comprising a support shaft and a drive shaft; 
 arranging the drum bearing assembly to support the drum member on the support shaft; 
 providing a proximal support assembly comprising
 a support block defining a center bore, first and second fluid bores, and first and second O-ring grooves, and 
 first and second O-rings arranged within the first and second O-ring grooves, respectively, 
 wherein the first and second fluid bores extend between first and second fluid ports and first and second locations of the center bore, and 
 wherein the center bore is sized and dimensioned such that
 with the support shaft arranged within the center bore, the O-rings engage the support shaft to define a sealed area, and 
 the first and second locations are within the sealed area; and 
 
 
 supporting the drum shaft with a proximal support assembly; 
 supporting the drum shaft with a distal support assembly. 
 
     
     
       6. A method as recited in  claim 5 , in which the first and second fluid bores define first and second fluid bore axes, where the first and second fluid bore axes are parallel to each other and the first and second fluid bore axes are different. 
     
     
       7. A method as recited in  claim 6 , in which the first and second fluid bores define first and second fluid bore axes, where the first and second fluid bore axes are parallel to each other and aligned. 
     
     
       8. A method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising the step of arranging the first and second locations on opposite sides of the center bore.